Admissions Lead

About Us 

The Collective Blueprint is helping Memphis become a city where all young adults can thrive. Founded in 2017 to support the ~45,000 local young adults out of work and school, we are increasing socioeconomic mobility for young adults through:

1. Career-Focused Training: As Memphis’ go-to model for supporting opportunity youth, we facilitate young adults’ entry into in-demand careers via school-readiness training, ongoing coaching, monthly stipends, free therapy, internships, employment support, and lifelong access to a well-connected network. At our founding, our community college completion rate was at 5% with limited economic outcomes. We have a completion rate of over 70%, and our alumni have achieved wage growth of 150% with zero debt.
2. Innovation: The current employment and educational landscape is failing many young adults. We build coalitions to address inequities in these systems and transform the context of our city, including leading city-wide economic development planning and driving a visionary policy agenda with hundreds of nonprofit partners. 
3. Advocacy: We are igniting a movement toward economic justice in Memphis. We position young adults as leaders and advocates by training them in participatory democracy and supporting their campaigns for policy agendas conducive to sustainable change. 

Our work uniquely focuses on both individuals and the systemic issues that stifle economic mobility. We were founded by and for young adults, and we center those most proximate to these issues. In just five years, we have reached hundreds directly and impacted thousands more. This blueprint is becoming a model for national change. 

Overview of Collective Blueprint Programs

The mission of The Collective Blueprint is to increase socio-economic mobility for young adults  by building pathways to thriving careers. To that end, the Program division at The Collective  Blueprint (TCB) designs and provides robust support, tools, and learning opportunities for  young adults ages 18-30 as they enter in-demand career pathways. The Program team at TCB works with young adults on a holistic level; we seek to understand a person’s strengths, areas of  growth, hopes, wishes, desires, and potential barriers in order to fully understand and support the  young adult as an individual. The program team at The Collective Blueprint provides these services in the following ways: 

1. School and Career Training: These workshops are designed to provide information,  skills, and tools for navigating either the school process (choosing, applying, and paying  for school), or identifying in-demand careers and how to navigate the ‘working world.’  Young adults not only receive information, but are provided with opportunities to  connect with industry professionals, set goals, and opt in to receiving additional intensive  support related to schools and careers. Where possible, the program team will strive to be  of service to the greater Memphis community, and provide our workshops in other  capacities such as other community organizations, schools, etc. 

2. Intensive School and Career Coaching: Our team of Persistence and Employment coaches are charged with providing deeper and more robust support for young adults  looking to take information and put it into action. Coaches work with young adults to  build soft skills (professional communication, interviewing skills, elevator pitch, etc) and hard skills (resume and cover letter), as well as life skills (life mapping, goal setting, time  management, etc). Laying this foundation is essential, as the goal of the intensive support is to help young adults either get to and through school (short-term certification programs) or help young adults obtain employment and retain it. The Persistence coaches  work closely with schools and the Employment coaches work closely with our job  partners to find the right fit for the needs of the young adults. 

3. Work Exposure and Job Placement Opportunities: Young adults who are looking to obtain full-time employment and are undergoing intensive employment coaching will  have the opportunity to gain work experience either by stepping into our paid work  experience opportunities (internships), or interviewing with our employer partners for potential job placement.  

4. Additional Alumni Supports: All former participants in any of our above programming are eligible for Alumni support, such as opportunities to connect with each other and network with industry professionals, specialized and ongoing employment/retention  workshops, access to mental health supports, connections with our employer partners, etc. 

Position Responsibilities 

The Admissions Lead plays a critical role in shaping the first impression and entry experience of young adults applying to and entering The Collective Blueprint’s programs. This position leads the full admissions cycle, from initial follow-up to enrollment, ensuring a welcoming, efficient, and equitable process for every applicant. In partnership with the recruitment and program teams, the Admissions Lead drives operational excellence in applicant engagement, admissions communications, event coordination, and data tracking. This person is also a key contributor to broader program efforts, supporting alignment across teams and contributing to participant success through intentional, values-driven admissions work.

Admissions Process Design & Management (40%)

• Lead the full admissions process from application through program enrollment
• Collaborate with the Recruitment Lead to ensure smooth handoff from interest to application to admissions steps
• Develop, implement, and regularly update admissions policies and procedures to ensure equity, efficiency, and a high-quality applicant experience
• Plan and coordinate admissions events such as info sessions, interviews, exposure events, and intake days
• Align admissions process and timelines with program needs and organizational goals
• Coordinate across TCB teams and external partners to ensure seamless admissions logistics
   

Applicant Engagement, Communication & Tracking (50%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for applicants, providing timely, thoughtful communication throughout the admissions journey
• Track and manage applicant data using admissions systems; maintain accurate and up-to-date records
• Monitor applicant progress through each admissions stage and follow up as needed to ensure timely completion
• Use admissions data to inform continuous improvement of processes, outreach, and applicant experience
• Gather and analyze applicant and participant feedback to refine admissions strategy and tools
   

Additional Program Support (10%)

• Provide occasional support during training sessions, special events, or organizational initiatives as needed
• Contribute to cross-functional collaboration and information sharing across programs, coaching, and external relations teams
• Manage 1-2 additional projects specific to young adult support and program delivery, such as maintenance of professional attire closet

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in admissions, education, youth development, nonprofit, or a related field or role
• Deep commitment to The Collective Blueprint’s mission and equity-driven work with young adults
• Skilled at building strong, empathetic relationships with youth and guiding them through processes
• Strong communicator, both written and verbal, with ability to engage with applicants, colleagues, and partners
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple deadlines and communication threads simultaneously
• Comfortable presenting to and engaging with young adults and community stakeholders
• Experienced with Google Suite, admissions platforms, CRMs, or similar tracking systems
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends to support events or deadlines
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; relevant professional or lived experience will be considered in place of a degree

The Collective Blueprint is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to supporting and encouraging diversity in the workplace. We welcome our employees’ differences regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, age, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

Flexible Work Arrangement

The TCB team enjoys a flexible work arrangement where some of our work can be done remotely. Our physical office in Memphis is always available for the team, and whenever gathering in-person is both safe and in service of our goals, we do so. For our education and career programs, including recruitment and admissions events, we have found that in-person programming is more reliably effective and supports the development of relationships that are integral to our work with young adults and that work is typically delivered in an in-person setting.

Benefits and Compensation

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a fast-growing organization. We are seeking an individual of outstanding quality, with a proven track record and a passion for young adults. The Collective Blueprint is prepared to offer an attractive compensation package, as well as health, 401(k), and vacation benefits. Starting salary is $60,000, negotiable based on experience. We also provide relocation assistance for applicants 100+ miles from Memphis. 

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, let us know why you are interested in The Collective Blueprint and specifically how you think you can contribute to the organization in the Admissions Lead role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.